Kazuki's grip on his blade tightened as the system's warning echoed in his head.
> [Danger Detected – High-Level Entity Nearby]
Classification: Unknown
Warning: This presence is related to the Demon Emperor.
He crouched lower in the shadows, his heartbeat syncing with the quiet hum of the wind. From the rooftop above, Aria signaled down to him—a clenched fist, held steady.
Hold. Wait.
But his instincts screamed. Whatever had just entered that shop… wasn't human. Not entirely.
Inside, the cloaked figure stood across from the hunched shopkeeper. The shop's windows were too foggy to see clearly, but Kazuki could feel the pressure in the air shift.
Like the world had taken a breath and was afraid to exhale.
Then, the figure turned toward the door.
Kazuki barely had time to react before the shop's door creaked open.
Out stepped the cloaked stranger, face still hidden. He paused, sniffed the air, and turned his head toward the alleyway Kazuki was hiding in.
"Come now," the figure said, voice smooth and almost bored. "You didn't think you were subtle, did you?"
Kazuki stepped out slowly, blade still sheathed.
"I'm just here for a walk," he replied, forcing calm into his tone.
The figure chuckled and removed the hood.
The man beneath had sharp, aristocratic features and short silver hair, slicked back. His eyes burned faintly violet, and a faint sigil—a crimson crown wreathed in fire—hovered behind his head like a ghost.
Kazuki's breath caught.
That wasn't just any general.
This was one of the Demon Emperor's Six Crowns.
"You're Kazuki, yes?" the general asked, taking a step forward. "The so-called Demon Lord from another world."
He grinned. "I expected taller."
The air around Kazuki chilled. "Funny. I expected the Demon Emperor's dogs to have sharper teeth."
The general smiled wider. "Oh, we bite hard. I just haven't decided whether you're worth sinking my fangs into."
Aria appeared on the rooftop, crossbow aimed squarely at his head. "One twitch, and your skull's a fancy bowl."
The general raised his hands in mock surrender. "Oh, my dear Aria. Still such fire. Such a shame your brother couldn't handle it."
That did it.
Aria fired.
The bolt hissed through the air—and stopped inches from the general's forehead.
Held between two fingers.
"You'll need sharper arrows," he said, letting it clatter to the ground. "Though I do appreciate the drama."
Kazuki unsheathed his blade.
> [Soulcut] Activated
Spiritual energy charged.
The general's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Oh? That's new."
Kazuki didn't respond. He struck.
The air rippled as his blade met a swirling barrier of dark flame that erupted from the general's outstretched hand. Sparks flew as steel met sorcery, the clash echoing through the alley like a thunderclap.
> [Soulcut – Whisper Slash] Triggered
Enemy spellcasting: Delayed
The general blinked in surprise as Kazuki's blade nearly grazed his chest.
"Well now," he said, stepping back, "you are interesting."
Then, in a blink, he vanished.
Kazuki's eyes widened. Behind—
He twisted just in time to catch a flaming punch with the flat of his sword, the force of it sending him skidding across cobblestones.
He coughed, the smell of sulfur thick in the air.
The general stood tall, cracking his knuckles.
"I was going to leave you be. Scout a bit. Report back. But now? I'm curious."
He extended his hand, conjuring a lance of twisting black flame.
> [System Alert – Fatal Threat Detected]
Escape advised.
"Celestia!" Kazuki hissed in his head.
Her voice came, sharp and urgent. "That's General Zeiros—The Ember Crown. Flee. Now."
Before Kazuki could move, Aria leapt down between them, two glowing daggers in hand.
"Touch him," she snarled, "and I'll carve your pretty face into a jigsaw puzzle."
Zeiros smirked. "Adorable. Brave. Useless."
He hurled the lance.
Kazuki's eyes flashed.
> [Create] Skill Initiated
Concept: "Reflect. Deflect. Survive."
Result: Temporary Barrier
Name: Mirror Shard
Effect: Creates a one-use magic shield that reflects projectile magic.
MP Cost: 60
Remaining MP: 78
The lance struck the sudden barrier with a screeching explosion of fire and light.
It rebounded.
Zeiros tilted his head and stepped aside, letting his own spell slam into the wall behind him. The impact shattered stone, scattering embers across the street.
He looked back at Kazuki and clapped slowly.
"Very well. You're amusing. For now, I'll leave you with a message."
He walked forward, straight past Kazuki, brushing shoulders as he passed.
"Tell the Watcher: The Emperor grows impatient. And you…" He stopped, eyes glinting. "...I'll see you again soon, little Demon Lord."
With a final smirk, he vanished into the darkness.
Kazuki stood frozen, adrenaline roaring in his ears.
Aria turned to him, eyes wide. "That was Zeiros. That was Zeiros. You realize what this means?"
Kazuki nodded, eyes still on the spot where the general disappeared.
"It means," he said quietly, "the game just changed."